Pivotable Illuminator Groupings for Adjustable Beam Divergence

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pre-focused light sources, such as LEDs and lasers, are not optically efficient in larger illumination systems due to their fixed focusing configurations, and adjustable focusing mechanisms are challenging to implement, limiting their beam pattern adjustment.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable light assembly with pivotably coupled illuminator groupings and an adjustment mechanism, allowing each grouping to pivot relative to the enclosure, thereby adjusting the optical beam divergence angle between wider and narrower settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a moveable collection lens is used to provide adjustable focusing, then the beam pattern can be adjusted, but the optical efficiency decreases and the implementation becomes challenging for larger illumination systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam pattern adjustmentVSAvoidoptical efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the illuminator groupings pivotable relative to the enclosure. This allows the beam pattern to be adjusted dynamically by changing the angular orientation of the light sources, eliminating the need for moveable lenses while maintaining optical efficiency. The pivotable mounting enables the same optical path to produce different beam patterns through geometric repositioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If pre-focused light sources are used in larger illumination systems, then the system can be implemented, but the optical efficiency is reduced due to fixed focusing configurations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem implementation capabilityVSAvoidoptical efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the fixed focusing configuration into a dynamic system by allowing the entire illuminator grouping to pivot. This enables the pre-focused light sources to maintain their optimal focus while changing beam direction and pattern, thereby recovering optical efficiency that would otherwise be lost in fixed configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the illumination system into multiple pivotable illuminator groupings, each containing multiple light sources. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each grouping's orientation, enabling the system to achieve both large-scale implementation and high optical efficiency through modular, adjustable architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of energy

If TIR lens elements or optimized reflectors are used, then optical efficiency is maximized, but the focusing arrangement is fixed and not adjustable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical efficiencyVSAvoidfocus adjustment capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the advantages of TIR lens elements with adjustable focusing by making the entire illuminator grouping pivotable. The TIR lens elements maintain optimal optical efficiency, while the pivotable mounting provides dynamic focus and beam pattern adjustment, resolving the contradiction between fixed optimization and adjustability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4628786A1Adjustable light assembly
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 THE BOEING CO
  • EP4628786A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4628786A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4628786A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an adjustable light assembly is disclosed. The adjustable light assembly comprises an enclosure and a plurality of illuminator groupings within the enclosure. Each of the illuminator groupings comprises a plurality of pre-focused light sources and is pivotably coupled to the enclosure. An adjustment mechanism is coupled to each of the illuminator groupings to pivot each of the illuminator groupings relative to the enclosure.